From exploring the form of postoperative local recurrence of low rectal cancer indications for sphincter-saving surgery DONG Xing-shu, YU Zhi-wei, JIA Shu-sheng. Colorectal Cancer Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China Corresponding author:DONG Xin-shu, E-mial: dxs82132079@126.com Abstract To properly perform sphincter-preserved surgery, decrease local recurrence and improve survival rate and quality, some opinions are proposed to explore the indications of sphincter-preserved surgery, which are based on the patterns of local recurrence following middle-low rectal cancer resection:（1）The most important principle is how to prolong survival time rather than survival quality.（2） The main reasons for local recurrence include insufficient rectal margin, inadequate lymphadenectomy and atypia TME.（3） Sphincter-preserved surgery should be performed avoiding the above problems. The 5cm length between the rectal margin and anus is the key point, otherwise which will not only impair survival quality but also shortage survival time.